Professional travellers love Emirates

Travel bloggers know the best airlines

Regular readers of Breathedreamgo know I was very impressed with my Emirates flights to India and back. Though I was a guest of Emirates, and flew in Business Class, it doesn’t make me blind: I recognize a great airline when I see one.

But don’t take my word for it. While extolling the virtues of Emirates on social media, I noticed a lot of other travel bloggers felt the same way. So I grabbed some screen shots and tapped a few leading bloggers for interviews. After all, travel bloggers are basically professional travellers, and that means they know a good airline when they see one, too. So, without further ado, here’s what some of the internet’s leading travel bloggers had to say, and why they recommend flying Emirates.

Legal Nomads

Jodi Ettenberg is a former lawyer currently eating her way around the world. She quit her job in 2008 to found Legal Nomadsand has been writing about food, travel and culture ever since.

Jodi Ettenberg, Legal Nomads

Jodi was enthusiastic when I asked her about her experiences with Emirates. She said she had flown Emirates “recently from the U.K. to Dubai, with a nine-hour layover and then a flight onward to Vietnam. Recent flights were smooth with new planes. VERY happy to see that I can plug my laptop in the seats and meal voucher at the Dubai airport was much appreciated.

“As a celiac, mealtimes are often stressful since gluten makes me very ill. The gluten-free meals on the flight were fresh and healthy, and I was surprised to also receive a GF option for the breakfast meal before landing: usually airlines skimp out on this meal and only provide GF meals for the main meal service.”

I’m celiac too, and was also impressed with the offerings for non-wheat-eaters. But, overall, would Jodi recommend Emirates to others?

“I do not provide reviews on my site for airlines, but readers often write me to ask for my recommendations. Having booked my flights on Emirates myself (i.e. it was not an incentivized booking, but one I undertook for my own plans), and really enjoying my flights, I have no qualms recommending them enthusiastically. The ability to accrue JetBlue miles is a huge bonus that other airlines in the region do not offer.”

Four Jandals

Cole and Adela, of Four Jandals are New Zealand’s leading adventure travel blogging couple. They have been travelling together and wearing out their jandals (Kiwi slang for flip-flops) since 2009.

Cole and Adele, Four Jandals

Cole and Adele told me they have flown with Emirates several times. “I love flying with Emirates because their service is world-class,” they said. “No matter what time the flight, the airline staff are always in a great mood and very welcoming. Even after a 36-hour flight from London to Auckland when I was feeling exhausted they managed to cheer me up.

“The food on Emirates is always fresh and delicious. My last flight I even pre-booked a vegetarian option and it came out before the main service. Great option if you like a bit more time to eat your meal!

“Emirates is always our first choice to fly with because they have great flights between New Zealand and Europe. Plus their economy seats are comfortable and large enough to get out my laptop so that I can catch up on writing and photo editing on the flight.”

Lillie Around the World

Lillie is a teacher from Boston who travels whenever she gets the chance and blogs at Lillie Around the World. In 2009, she circumnavigated the globe, and has been to China, Southeast Asia, India, Europe, Ghana and Belize. Lillie also coordinates the Boston chapter of Meet, Plan, Go career-break travel conferences and meetups.

On her blog she wrote: “Off through the glistening airport to my Emirates Air flight! Listen: if you EVER have the chance to fly Emirates, take it. It is posh to the posh, posh, posh, posh!

‘This is a very empty flight,’ said the gorgeous stewardess with her jaunty red cap, ‘so if you want, stretch out over those ten seats there!’

She also gave me my menu: Pan Fried Red Snapper or Roast Chicken with Mexican Sauce, with Apricot Crumble for dessert. It was a heavenly seven hours.”

Anthony, The Travel Tart

Anthony, The Travel Tart

Anthony runs The Travel Tart where he writes about the funny, offbeat and weird aspects of world travel today. I asked him in all seriousness how often he had flown Emirates and what he thought.

Here’s what Anthony said — and catch the video he made, below, of his Business Class seat: “Just flew Emirates once, a short 15-hour journey to Dubai from Brisbane, Australia and return. The overall Emirates experience was great. I flew both Economy and Business class and thought they were right up there in terms of comfort levels and services. The food in both classes was excellent and was probably some of the best I’ve had on a plane for a long time. The massaging seats in business class were pretty cool! I was also told that the lighting used helps reduce the effects of jetlag. The Business Class lounge in Dubai was more like a restaurant with the crazy variety of food available.”

Emma’s Travel Tales

Emma Gray is a travel addict who shares her stories, tips and advice from around the world on her travel blog Emma’s Travel Tales.

Emma said, “I flew Emirates long haul from Glasgow, Scotland all the way to Perth, Australia with a short layover in Dubai. I was so impressed with the level of service provided by the cabin crew, nothing was too much trouble for them. From the moment I arrived on board they made me feel truly welcome and at ease. They gave the impression they truly cared about their passengers comfort during the flight and were happy to help with anything. It’s a far cry from some other airlines where cabin crew just seem to want to get the flight over as quickly as possible! I’d love to fly Emirates again in future.”

Where Sidewalks End

Ian Ord is a veteran world explorer, sharing his off-beaten-path discoveries and adventures on his travel blog Where Sidewalks End.

“I’ve only flown Emirates once so far, but it definitely won’t be my last. It was a flight from Toronto, to Cochin, India via Dubai. The first thing I noticed was the modern and very comfortable seating in economy class, with decent pitch (leg room). It was refreshing for a long set of flights, such as that! With very well equipped seating, including a power source to keep my laptop charged throughout the flight, and a variety of movies to keep me entertained, when I wasn’t fast asleep. Additionally, the food was above par! I ate plenty of delicious Indian inspired dishes, which was a great prep for my final destination, and just added to the excitement. The staff was very friendly and professional, which was just the icing on the cake. I wouldn’t hesitate to fly with them again!

Related Posts:

About Mariellen Ward

Travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of the "meaningful travel adventure" blog Breathedreamgo, one of the world's leading travel blogs about India. Join her on a transformational journey and find inspiration and information for living your travel dreams.

5 Responses to Professional travellers love Emirates

I’ve taken four Emirates flights and they were all super. Great service and ample room for a longer flight even in cramped economy class. The only issue I had, and it’s a relatively big one, is their Skywards point system is terrible if you live in North America.
I gave up trying to use the 20,000+ points I had a couple of years ago as their list of routes, even with partner airlines are quite limited here and you can’t transfer points to any other programs. While they’re adding new partners now…I’d rather stick to airlines that are part of the Star Alliance or OneWorld networks.Red Hunt recently posted..Wildlife Photo: Asian Openbill Stork

Emirates planes and service are unanimously loved, but they might want to address their frequent flyer program. Did you read what Jodi from Legal Nomads wrote? Apparently you can accrue JetBlue points.Mariellen Ward recently posted..A woman’s voice

My first choice to travel is Emirates as well, travelling often to Asia and also once to South Africa. The flight connections are getting better, the service at the Dubai airport well developed, far better than many other international airports. Food, entertainment program, service at the airport and the prices – all arguments for our first choice. If time permits, we also have taken a break for 1-2 nights in Dubai. You can take the metro from and to the airport or head off in a taxi and explore the city!

On another note and to the service of the personnel: Due to a treatment, I had a situation with my legs and needed to have them elevated during the trip (not hanging down all the time): They were flexible, going out of the way to make me comfortable and bringing extra cushions and blanket. A few months later i had to take a flight with an European airline (gritting my teeth not mentioning the name): they were inflexible, no consideration or eve offering me an alternative (for the seats, which their system had screwed up): no, they just told me, that the seats are not guaranteed, and you need to read the fine print! So much to professional attitude of the other airline.

I totally agree it them. Emirates airlines is an amazing airline. I frequently travel to middle east for business and Emirates airline is always been my first choice. They offer top quality service to their passengers and their food is also great.The Emirates experience is worth every penny you spend.

I have been following you on Facebook. Your positive energy and affection for India are a great presence in my day.

- Chetan S

When I started researching the possibility of traveling to India, I wanted to find a blog written by a woman who had traveled to India by herself and I found you right away. For days I was glued to your site reading all your entries related to India and when I finished I knew that I had to go.

- Vanessa S

Always thankful to you ... without this blog some things are never happy for me in my life. You made India high. I feel this blog is sacred. All these things are just reflection of heart. You have great inner beauty and that is just reflected on your blog.

- Ravi

I haven't read anything as beautiful about India as this sentence from your blog: "India’s gift to the world is an ancient and abiding wisdom built on the realization that reality is shaped in the mind and that the only lasting path to happiness is internal."

- Mayank Bhatt, author and journalist

Going to India in two weeks time and very much looking forward to it. Your blog was very influential in my final decision and thank you for such an appealing portrait of the whole place.

- Paula M

"I truly think that your blog is one of the best in my opinion. It's just so wholesome and realistic at the same time!

- Aditya

Your blog has to be the best I have ever came across. You are a beautiful writer. Thanks.

- Caroline M

Your blogs encouraged me to go to Varanasi and put my mother's ashes in the Ganges....for this I thank you!

- Kira Godbe

Mariellen writes with a passion few other bloggers can reach, and with an honesty few people can take pride in. She is bound to India, physically, emotionally and spiritually ... a modern Scheherazade who intertwines magic and beauty in her tales.